Two apologies - firstly, it's been an age, I know. I have just been sooooo busy. Secondly, you'll have to wait one more chapter for more ZafJo-ness. Sorry!

Chapter Four

Friday, October 8th. 08:04 (HIDE AND SEEK – DAY 1)

Harry glared at himself in the mirror.

"Idiot," he sighed angrily at his own reflection. "Damned fool."

Of course she had slept at the edge of the bed. It was unfair to chastise her for such understandable discomfort. This was not a date, or even another charged evening alone together on the darkened Grid. They were both uncomfortable, cold, and worried – the mystery of what circumstances had triggered Adam to pursue the course of action that he had sitting between them, unverbalised.

And there was Ruth, being sensible, keeping her head. It was what he should be doing.

--

Ruth scowled as she wrestled with the tin-opener.

"You're an idiot, Ruth Evershed," she murmured darkly.

Of course she should have trusted him. What did she expect? That he'd quickly feel her up in her sleep?

She discarded the tin-opener momentarily, and crossed her arms over her chest, deciding it was time for a little self-illumination.

Because the truth was, she trusted him implicitly. She had known that it was only his concern for her well-being which had prompted his choice of sleeping arrangements; all that had been running through his head was the question of keeping her warm and comfortable. And she'd thrown it back in his face.

The problem was that she didn't trust herself. There had been a moment, just as he had been falling asleep, his head lolling against hers, that she had allowed herself to relax, just for a second, and it had felt wonderful.

Lying in his arms, knowing that he was consciously protecting her.

It was how she could imagine spending every night in a world where rules did not apply. In an existence where he wasn't her boss, where they weren't both so dedicated to their jobs that they couldn't possiblygive them up in the pursuit of romance.

But it couldn't happen. And that was what last night had been about. The gap she'd put between them was more than just a few inches of mattress; it was the gaping chasm of discipline that kept them apart; she had respected the rules, and run from him once more.

Because it couldn't happen.

--

Having both reminded themselves what was at stake, they made light conversation over their breakfast with ease.

Both pretending they were perfectly happy back at square one.

* * *

Friday, January 8th. 11:17 (HIDE AND SEEK – DAY 1)

'Do you mind not keep eating our betting chips, Miss Myers?"

Ros' face betrayed not a hint of guilt as she threw another peanut into her open mouth.

"I'm bored."

Malcolm sighed impatiently. "Of course you're bored; you're not playing properly."

Ros threw her cards down. "I've never been any good at poker."

"It's not too late to learn," pointed out Malcolm. But he too placed his cards on the floor. "What do you want to do instead?"

"How much time have we killed so far?"

Malcolm studied his watch. "Three hours."

She groaned. "Are you sure your watch is working?"

"Yes, Rosalind. I am quite sure that I can keep a watch in working order."

The sarcasm was not lost on her, and she scowled at him.

"You have a surprisingly short attention span," he continued.

"Only when I'm not doing anything."

"But you're fine when we go on obbo's. I've sat with you for almost six hours before, and you've been perfectly patient."

"Yes, but then there's an objective, a purpose. Plus, we don't have to contend with the knowledge that there are five more days of crippling boredom ahead of us."

Malcolm had to concede that she had a point. "You could have a nap."

A glare. "I'm not eighty."

"Well, then I'm not sure what to suggest, Ros!" Any semblance of patience he had previously been clinging to had evaporated.

"Tell me a story."

"Pardon?"

"Go on. Old warhorse like you; you must thousands of stories of the good old days, when Harry had bad hair, and Juliet still had flesh and muscle where now there's ice."

Malcolm grinned. "Actually, now that I think of it, there is one…"

* * *

Jo turned herself the right way up, and – cheeks red and hair mussed beyond recovery – smiled triumphantly at Zaf, who was sprawled inelegantly on the rug.

"I told you I could stand on my head longer than you!"

* * *

Friday, January 8th. 12:22 (HIDE AND SEEK – DAY 1)

Ruth glanced at her watch.

"So, we've covered how horrendously cold the weather is, how disgusting the bathroom is, how much we both already miss hot food, and how uncomfortable it was for you, sleeping in braces that you forgot to remove. And it's still a bit too early for lunch."

Harry laughed.

"It's still rather admirable that we've managed to moan for almost four hours."

"I suppose so," grinned Ruth, in reply. "But then, neither of us gets a chance to do it very often."

He nodded his agreement, and they both lapsed into a comfortable, reflective silence for a few moment.

"Come on then," sighed Ruth eventually. "Tell me more about your boy scout days…"